Washington: Good news for all green tea lovers, a new study has found that green tea can help curing debilitating autoimmune disorder rheumatoid arthritis.

Researchers from W ashington State University have found a phytochemical called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is a molecule with anti-inflammatory properties found in green tea.

They found EGCG as a high potential treatment for rheumatoid arthritis as they can very effectively block the effects of the disease without blocking other cellular functions.

Lead researcher Salah-uddin Ahmed said that the existing drugs for rheumatoid arthritis are expensive, immunosuppressive and sometimes unsuitable for long-term use, thereupon green tea is the best option available.

He added that this study has opened the field of research into using EGCG for targeting TAK1, an important signaling protein through which proinflammatory cytokines transmit their signals to cause inflammation and tissue destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.

To prove their research, the researchers gave EGCG to ankle swelling animals and found that the their problem was markedly reduced.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating autoimmune disorder that mostly affects the small joints of the hands and feet. It causes painful swelling that progress into cartilage damage, bone erosion and joint deformity.